Wednesday, 27 May 2015

Gold price under pressure as dollar strengthens

Otmane El Rhazi from The Bullion Desk.

This morning the base metals are consolidating yesterday’s losses that were brought about by the stronger dollar and continuing concerns over China’s economy. After average losses yesterday of 0.6 percent, the metals are up an average of 0.1 percent this morning, with tin up 0.3 percent, copper up 0.2 percent at $6,133 and lead off 0.2 percent. Volume this morning has been above average with 4,934 lots traded.

Precious metals are up 0.4 percent on average this morningwith gold up 0.2 percent at $1,189.20, but that is after they suffered quite heavily yesterday with average losses of 1.9 percent as the metals reacted to the stronger dollar that saw the dollar index climb to 97.35, its mid-May low was at 93.13. The gold price is last at $1,189.20 after a low yesterday of $1,185.70.

In Shanghai, the base metals are down an average of 0.6 percent with tin off 1.7 percent and copper down one percent at Rmb 44,280. The rest are little changed. Spot copper in Changjiang is off 1.2 percent at Rmb 44,350-44,500, which puts the backwardation at an equivalent of $35 per tonne, but the LME/Shanghai copper arb ratio is higher at 1 to 7.21.

Precious metals prices in Shanghai are lower by around one percent with gold at Rmb 241.40/g and silver at 3,367/kg.

Equities were weaker yesterday with the Euro Stoxx 50 and Dow both off one percent, but Asia is mixed with the Nikkei up 0.2 percent (on the back of the weak yen), the Hang Seng is off 0.8 percent, the CSI 300 is off 0.2 percent and the Kospi is down 1.7 percent.

Currencies – the dollar index has been rebounding strongly of late, but this morning it is edging lower again, last at 97.00. The index is back in the lower levels of the former top area so we wait to see if the rebound has just been a test of its breakdown level. The euro picked up slightly, last 1.0918, sterling is attempting to rebound last at 1.5425, having dipped to 1.5354, the yen is weak at 122.94 as is the aussie at 0.7763, the rouble at 50.74, while the yuan is at 6.2038.

The economic agenda is light today, German GfK consumer climate data edged up to 10.2 from 10.1 previously – there is also a G7 meeting on.

The base metals appear to be in retreat still with copper and tin giving back more of their gains, aluminium and nickel remain weak having given back the bulk of their gains, lead and zinc are pausing in mid-ground, but still look vulnerable. For the most part we expect the metals to work lower, which may well mean those that are not already in low ground may see prices slip further.

The precious metals have pulled back on the back of the strength in the dollar and prices are now testing support levels – silver and palladium are holding up better than gold and platinum. We would expect the dips to attract buying in gold, especially as the markets may well get more nervous about Greece.

 

Overnight Performance      
BST 07:11 +/- +/- % Lots
Cu 6133 15 0.2% 2488
Al 1757 -0.5 0.0% 847
Ni 12730 15 0.1% 475
Zn 2184.5 -0.5 0.0% 961
Pb 1945 -4.5 -0.2% 142
Sn 15505 45 0.3% 21
Steel 300 0 0.0% Total
Average (BM ex-Steel) 0.1% 4,934
Gold 1189.2 1.9 0.2%
Silver 16.78 0.07 0.4%
Platinum 1127.8 5.8 0.5%
Palladium 782.5 2.5 0.3%
Average PM   0.4%

 

SHFE Prices 07:25 BST   Change % Change
Cu 44280 -440 -1.0%
AL 13225 -40 -0.3%
Zn 16655 25 0.2%
Pb 13320 -15 -0.1%
Ni 100630 -430 -0.4%
Sn 116860 -2000 -1.7%
Average change (base metals)     -0.6%
Rebar 2356 -8 -0.3%
Au 241.4 -2.6 -1.1%
Ag 3667 -37 -1.0%

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